Movies: Past, present and future

The Oscar-winning “Forrest Gump,” Walt Disney’s 1942 classic animated film “Bambi,” Charlie Chaplin’s first feature-length comedy “The Kid” and a 1912 silent comedy “A Cure for Pokeritis” (starring cinema’s earliest comedy superstar, John Bunny) are among the 25 movies that have been selected to be preserved as cultural, artistic and historical treasures in the National Registry of the Library of Congress. Librarian of Congress James H. Billington made the selections.

The movies chosen span the years 1912 to 1994 and include an eclectic mixture of feature films, documentaries, short subjects and experimental films. With this year’s selections, there are 575 films in the registry. Movies are selected to the National Film Registry because they are “culturally, historically or aesthetically” important. “These films are selected because of their enduring significance to American culture,” Billington said in a statement. “Our film heritage must be protected because these cinematic treasures document our history and culture and reflect our hopes and dreams."

Billington chose these films after reviewing the 2,228 films nominated by the public and discussing the titles with film curators and members of the National Film Preservation Board. The Library of Congress Packard Campus for Audio Visual Conservation ensures each title named to the registry is preserved for future generations.